BCRP Hosts Its First Research Symposium
“Gathered in this room is the force that is going to conquer breast cancer.” Dr. Marion Kavanaugh-Lynch, the director of the California Breast Cancer Research Program, spoke these words at the first California Breast Cancer Research Symposium in Sacramento, California. On September 16, 1997, BCRP hosted a symposium that brought together individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds, but a common interest in determining the cause of, and cure for, breast cancer. This symposium was distinct from most other scientific symposiums in that it had a strong attendance by breast cancer advocates and the community at large. It gave lay people a first hand look at the many ways the quest for a cure for breast cancer is being addressed. It also allowed breast cancer researchers the unaccustomed experience of networking with survivors and policy makers in addition to scientists from different research fields.
"Our goal collectively, both as a group and personally, has to be to eliminate the disease; to wipe it off the face of the planet."
-Robert Erwin, Chair, Breast Cancer Research Council
The content and the composition of the symposium reflected the goals of BCRP. Over half of the more than 700 attendees characterized themselves as lay people. The symposium was designed for maximal exposure to all sides of the breast cancer fight. The activities available to the participants included: listening to the motivational keynote speakers; viewing artwork by and about people with breast cancer; visiting exhibits by non-profit breast cancer organizations; attending informational seminars about how to be funded to do breast cancer research; and attending talks and posters given by investigators who were funded by BCRP. The keynote speakers exemplified the spirit of BCRP. They came from the worlds of science, breast cancer advocacy and governmental affairs. Former congresswoman and activist, Bella Abzug; renowned cell biologist and Director of Ernest O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Life Sciences division, Mina J. Bissell, Ph.D.; former California state assemblywoman and sponsor of BCRP, Barbara Friedman; and breast cancer advocate and first Breast Cancer Research Coucil Council chair, Susan Claymon all gave their uniquely insightful views of the breast cancer movement landscape and the role of BCRP in it. In spite of their different perspectives on the fight against breast cancer, and perhaps because of it, there was a consensus of opinion that we will only succeed if people from all backgrounds combine their efforts.
As Ms. Friedman stated, the enacting legislation for BCRP would not have
come about without the support of health advocacy groups, the California
Medical Association, and the breast cancer advocates. Ms. Abzug pointed
out that BCRP provides an example of how activism can change breast cancer
treatment for the better and Ms. Claymon noted that BCRP was the first program
with a legislative mandate to include advocates in the review process. She
described that in the beginning of the movement, the advocates and scientists
were leery of each other, but they soon found that they truly were working
toward a common goal. Both Ms. Abzug and Ms. Claymon reached the conclusion
that the BCRP program is a “leading model for breast cancer research”.
There was another point of agreement among the speakers. It was that BCRP
provides an important service as an alternative source for funding breast
cancer research. Dr. Bissell explained that certain paradigms are accepted
in science and form the backbone of future research. Challenging these paradigms
is particularly difficult because so many projects are invested in their
accuracy. However, successful challenges to these same paradigms often generate
pivotal points in research history. She emphasized that programs such as
BCRP are crucial for developing new paradigms. Toward the aim of developing
new paradigms in breast cancer research, Ms. Claymon noted that the BCRP
was the first program to develop the IDEA award, which prizes innovation
above fully developed research plans. It also was the first to foster collaborations
between scientific researchers and the breast cancer community in the form
of Community Initiated Research Collaboration Awards.
What is the payoff for these trailblazing awards? The symposium provided an excellent showcase for the research funded by BCRP in the first three years of the program’s existence. The research was presented in the form of posters and oral presentations. The more than 80 scientific presentations reflected the scope of high quality research funded by BCRP. Researchers funded by BCRP are exploring new possibilities for using radiotherapy or cryosurgery to treat primary cancers. They are looking at what makes a tumor cell capable of moving from the breast to other sites in the body, and at ways to stop it. They are exploring how to use the immune system to treat and detect breast cancer. They are looking at ways to overcome the barriers to earlier detection and treatment in underserved populations. They are determining the relationship between genetic makeup and susceptibility to environmental factors. BCRP funding has allowed researchers to explore ideas that are too speculative for traditional funding agencies. It has also encouraged the formation of unconventional collaborative teams. These funding approaches have laid the foundation for the development of larger studies along new lines, and for getting the findings translated to the populations that would benefit from them.
The information available at the BCRP symposium went beyond the BCRP sponsored
research and emerging results. Forty non-profit organizations exhibited
at the symposium. Their exhibits explained the current practical knowledge
of what we can do to address breast cancer for ourselves, and as society
as a whole. They passed on the current thinking about breast care and identified
areas where political actions are needed. Art exhibits brought forward the
urgent need to conquer breast cancer. In a world where symposiums can be
emotionally reserved, this one touched the heart as well as the mind. The
artwork was moving and kept the faces of people battling breast cancer foremost
in the minds of the symposium participants (BCRP Symposium Art). The multidimensional
nature of the symposium underlined the best, most direct way to achieve
success. In the words of Breast Cancer Research Council Chair, Robert Erwin,
"Our goal collectively, both as a group and personally, has to be to
eliminate the disease; to wipe it off the face of the planet." The
1997 BCRP symposium was a step in galvanizing Californians to do just that.
Speakers’ Warehouse
Are you looking for people who can talk to your community
group about the current thinking and recent breakthroughs in breast cancer
research? BCRP funds breast cancer researchers who are performing cutting
edge science all across California. If you are interested in inviting a
breast cancer researcher to speak to your community group, let us connect
you with a motivated speaker near you. Call us at (888) 313-BCRP.
